License tag holder



June 7, 1938. N, MATULA J 4 2,119,714

LICENSE TAG HOLDER I Filed April 27, 1937 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm mm flicholas Main/2w June 7, 1938. N. MATULA LICENSE TAG HOLDER Filed April 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES LICENSE TAG HOLDER Nicholas Matula, Johnstown, Pa., assignor of one-fifth to Walter Joseph Bowling, one-fifth to Robert L. Brunner, and one-fifth to Earl C. Cavanaugh, all of J ohnstown,-Pa.

Application April 27, 1937, Serial No. 139,311

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a license tag holder and a tag for use in connection therewith, one of the objects being to provide a simple, efiicient and compact device of this character utilizing a translucent license plate or tag having means associated therewith whereby light rays from a suitably positioned lamp, will flood the back surface of the plate or tag and thus illuminate the characters appearing thereon.

A further object is to so support the license plate or tag that all portions of the rear surface thereof will be exposed to the light rays, thereby insuring proper illumination of all parts of the plate or tag.

Another object is to provide a license plate or tag made of a non-vitreous plastic material capable of withstanding severe blows without shattering.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of the complete device. Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof. Figure 3 is an elevation showing that side thereof opposite to the one illustrated in Fig- I ure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference l designates an elongated plate which can be formed with spaced slots 2 for the recep tion of suitable fastening means whereby the plate can be attached to a motor vehicle. The ends of this plate are extended at right angles, as shown at 3 and merge into opposed channels 4 which open toward each other and which are somewhat longer than the height of plate I, as

- shown particularly in Figure 3.

Extending upwardly from the central portion of plate I is a tongue 5 preferably inclined relative tothe plate and to this tongue is attached a lamp housing 6 which overlies the space between the forwardly extending portion 3 of plate I and has an opening I in the bottom thereof closed by means of a transparent member 8 so that light rays from a lamp within the housing can escape downwardly to illuminate the area between the members 3.

The channelled portions 4 are adapted to receive opposed edges of a translucent or transparent license plate or tag 9, the ends of this plate or tag being adapted to fit snugly but detachably within the channel and being held securely therein by any suitable means, such as bolts ill extending through the upper portions thereof. The lower corners of the plate or tag 9 can rest on ledges l I which close the bottom end of the channelled members.

or tag are suitable identifying data such as a license number, the name of the State, etc. Also any desired ornamentation can be displayed on the plate or tag.

This plate 9 is not formed of glass but is preferably formed of a thick transparent or translucent material of a non-frangible nature such as a nitro-cellulose compound.

It is to be understood that the housing 5 can contain a lamp for constant illumination of the surface of plate or tag 9 and can also constitute a parking light. 7

Obviously when the lamp is lighted the rays therefrom willbe directed through the opening 1 and into the area between plates 1 and 9 so that the entire surface of plate 9 will thus be flooded with light and those characters displayed thereon will be illuminated through the plate.

It is to be understood that various changes can be made in the construction of the bracket por- Painted or otherwise displayed on one of the surfaces of this plate a tion of this device used for holding the tag or license plate, where these changes are necessary in order to adapt the bracket for use with any particular make or style of automobile.

What is claimed is: v

A license tag holder including a plate having fastener receiving openings, the ends of the plate being offset in one direction along parallel lines, a channel integral with each of said offset ends and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom, said channels opening toward each other and each having registering fastener receiving openings, means integral with the channels for closing the lower ends thereof, said channels constituting means for receiving opposed side edges of a license plate insertible downwardly thereinto, a tongue integral with the plate and inclined upwardly therefrom above the level of the channels, a lamp housing carried by the tongue and positioned to direct light rays over a license plate when supported in the channels, and an opening in the bottom of the housing positioned for the NICHOLAS MATULA. 

